Hopefully you aren’t going into your rookie drafts looking for help at the DL position because there isn’t much help to be had. Between the 3-4 defense wreaking havoc on the fantasy value of DEs that will be converted to LB and the overall lack of depth of 4-3 DEs there isn’t much immediate or even long term value associated with the 2014 draft for the DL position. In short, the DL position is ugly this year. I also think this draft shows that situation trumps talent more often than not on the IDP side of the ball.

JADAVEON CLOWNEY – DE/LB

6'6" 266 South CarolinaPick 1 Round 1 (1) Texans Twitter: @clownejd
NOTE: I’m writing up Clowney first because he was drafted 1st overall but he’s not close to my top DL this year.
A transcendent talent who will be a waste for many in IDP leagues because he landed in a 3-4 defense and will be classified as an OLB. As I mentioned above, this draft really shows how situation is as important, if not more, than talent. If you are in a big-play league then Clowney will have some value but not much and that’s a far cry from the top 5 type value he would have if he had landed in a 4-3 defense. If you are in a league at MFL don’t read much into his current DE designation because I have confirmed that they will be assigning his position based on how he’s listed by Rotoworld and Rotoworld has him listed as a LB.

Fantasy Impact/ValueRedraft: In redraft leagues that are tackle heavy or neutral Clowney has next to no fantasy value, especially when you consider where he’ll be drafted by those with rookie fever. If by Dynasty: If you are looking for dynast value from Clowney you’ll have to stash him in hopes that he’ll end up being designated a DE someday. That’s why I see Clowney as a, “the rich get richer” type of draftee. What I mean by that is that if you are a contending team you probably can stash him at the end of your bench or on your DTS to play the wait and see game, but if you are a bottom-rung team or are rebuilding you won’t have that same type of luxury. In any event, Clowney is likely to come off the board much earlier than I’d be willing to pull the trigger on him in drafts.